getting ready to stop pumping

[lbahlstrand]

Hi, My daughter is approching 11 months. I was hoping to breastfeed her until 1 year old but I had a hard time with her all along: reflux, throwing up, latching, strike, pushing, biting, distractions, mastitis three times, and then another strike at 9 months that I was never able to make her come back. I have been pumping and after few weeks I was able to have a good supply (I guess she was not eating so much, so my suply was pretty low and I had a little hard time making it to be stable). I have posted multiple times for support and some maybe familiar with us. I have 3-4 weeks supply in my freezer and I was thinking if I start pumping less now I should have enough until she is one. I would ask for any advice of what schedule I should follow. Right now I pump 7-8oz at 6:30am, 3oz at 10am, 3oz at 2pm and 5-6oz at 9pm. She drinks 14-16oz a day. I don't give her much water because I think it is not much what she wants to drink, so I just offer her milk. Also, if I finish the milk before the 1year, is it ok to give her cow milk for couple days? when did you start cow milk. I have given her yougurt and cheese but she is not wanting yougurt lately. I will try giving her again. Please tell me your suggestions. Thank you

[sweetkisses]

I would start out by eliminating one pumping session at a time and give your self about a week before eliminating another pumping session. Once you get down to pumping only once or twice I would then decrease the amount of time you are pumping at each session untill you are down to less than about 5 min. The main thing is to make sure, as you cut out pumping sessions, you are not very uncomfortable and you want to prevent clogged ducks.

As for the cow's milk, if you choose to give it, I don't think a couple days before she is a year will make much difference.

[Mocosita]

I would start out by eliminating one pumping session at a time and give your self about a week before eliminating another pumping session. Once you get down to pumping only once or twice I would then decrease the amount of time you are pumping at each session untill you are down to less than about 5 min. The main thing is to make sure, as you cut out pumping sessions, you are not very uncomfortable and you want to prevent clogged ducks.

As for the cow's milk, if you choose to give it, I don't think a couple days before she is a year will make much difference.


this 1,000%. I did the same and thankfully did not suffer from any major soreness (from being full by not pumping) Also ds is now 16 months and drinks cow's milk in daycare and nurses at home. it's a good compromise and I'm more relaxed now that I know I don't have to stress over how much I pumped and how much I have left on the freezer.

Good luck!

[Stephanie]

Looking at your schedule, it looks like you could pump in the morning, at noon, and at night and then continue to drop one at a time from there.

I agree about the cow's milk. Ds1 got some a little before he was exactly 12 months.

You have done a great job, mama!

[Teresa64]

My pedi told me that cows milk is ok to start early but is low in iron which is why they don't recommend it before a year old. It won't hurt as long as you know she is eating a balenced diet.
Good luck!

[Teresa64]

If your LO has a sensitive tummy I would be careful how you offer it to her. I would do a little at a time and slowly increase.

[lbahlstrand]

I dropped the mid morning already. The supply is starting to decrease, but I still pump about 17oz/day, still more than she drinks. I did have harder time letting down and felt lumps in my left side in hte evening, I do not want to get mastitis. I am thinking to start pumping later in the afternoon and eliminate the evening next. I hope it will work out with nap schedule. Once I'm few days before the year mark, I think I can try to mix BM and cow milk to see if she takes it ok